Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism Wednesday started the Second Edition of the Eco Retreat Program at five destinations including Konark.
Keeping in view the last year’s huge response, Odisha Tourism started Eco Retreats– luxurious tented accommodations- at four other locations – Bhitarkanika, Daringibadi, Hirakud and Satkosia- simultaneously.
All the eco-retreats were inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through virtual mode.
“The success of the eco-retreat model is evident from the enthusiastic response received by each of the Eco Retreats, across diverse locales– Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hirakud, Konark and Satkosia,” the Chief Minister said on the occasion.
He said the program will go a long way in encouraging tourists from across India to explore these beautiful destinations set deep in the hinterlands of Odisha.
Union Tourism & Culture Minister Prahllad Singh Patel and Union Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also addressed through video message.
Mr.Patel in his message recalled his last visit and opined that the Eco Retreat at Konark and Rann of Kutch are two glamping events in India which has attracted the attention in the country and outside.
He appreciated the initiative of the State Government for taking such a novel initiative in organising the eco retreats in five locations amidst the global pandemic situations and wished it all success.
Mr.Pradhan in his message highlighted the tourism potentials of the state and hope that such glamping event will unlock tourism potentials of the state.
State School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash, Sports & Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Jagatsighpur MP Rajashree Mallik, MLA Puri Jayant Sarangi, MLA Brahmagiri Lalitendu Mohapatra, Tourism Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev and ADM Puri were among the guests present.
The Eco Retreat at Bhitarkanika was inaugurated in the presence of State Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, MLA Aul Pratap Dev, MLA Kendrapada Shashi Bhusan Behera and MLA Rajnagar Dhruba.
The Eco Retreat at Daringibadi was inaugurated in the presence of MP Kandhmal Achyuta Samant, MLA G Udayagiri Saluja Pradhan, Director Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Collector Kandhamal D Brunda and others.
At Hirakud the program was inaugurated in the presence of Deputy Chief Whip Rohit Pujari, MLA Sambalpur Jayanarayan Mishra, MLA Rengali Nauri Naik, Chairperson OTDC Shreemayee Mishra and RDC Niranjan Sahu.
Similarly, the Satkosia program was inaugurated in the presence of MLA Badamba-Narasinghpur Debi Prasad Mishra, Collector Cuttack Bhawani Shankar Chaini and others.
This year, a total 145 cottages of different categories have been put up in 5 locations.
The additional features in the current year at Ramchandi are Sea Surfing session, parasailing, e-scooter, open air restaurant, beach shack etc.
The Eco Retreats will continue till 28 February, 2021.